Alleged ‘Plain Jane’ Bandit In Custody

DOWNEY (CBS) — The female bank robbery suspect known as the “Plain Jane” bandit is in FBI custody Friday, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

Sylvia Helen Garcia, 38, is accused of committing six bank robberies during eight attempts over the past few weeks.

Garcia was arrested Thursday night near her home in Downey, according to Eimiller.

Authorities said multiple tips led the FBI to the suspect’s arrest.

The most recent heist occurred when Garcia allegedly targeted a Chase branch at 11900 South Street in Cerritos shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

New images of the suspect confirmed a description given by authorities since the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) first alerted the public on July 24.

Garcia was nicknamed “Plain Jane” based off the descriptions given by witnesses. She had reportedly used notes and verbal commands to demand cash from tellers and even claimed to have an accomplice waiting outside the branch.

Investigators said no accomplice had been indentified.

Over the past few weeks, “Plain Jane” has hit banks across three Southland counties, with actual robberies in Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Moreno Valley, Buena Park, Wildomar and now Cerritos.